Enjoyed visiting Katharine and her
brother, who is more charming than ever.
Quoted Ella Wheeler Wilcox to each other.
Attended New Year's dance with Douglass—a
rustic event. Could Mariel retrieve her [Cather's] copy of Daudet'sSapho from Sarah Harris? Doesn't know when she will be back in
Lincoln. Here in the country might as well
be dead. Is indifferent to everything, even suicide.
Willa
[Stout
#21]

Appreciates her help getting through scrapes during years at the university. Now another one.
Keeps making a fool of herself! Keeps trying on personas (the scholarly, the bohemian)! Would
consider suicide but knows her stupidities spring from liking someone too well. People always
watching her, waiting for her to do something unusual. Feels superficial and useless where she
is. Little brother Jack is the one consolation.
Has been to a dance with Douglass and actually
enjoyed it. Miner girls there. Met a Miss [Anna] Gayhardt and talked all night. Can't talk like this to Katharine [Weston],
of course. Hopes to get up to Lincoln soon.
Professor Bates very happy in his new job.
Willa
[Stout
#24]

Has been in this grimy city only a few hours. Began feeling happier when she got east of
Chicago and started seeing hills and clear
streams and trees. Conductor asked if she was going home. Was met by Mr. Axtell. For now, is staying at the Axtells' gloomy house, where the only ornament is a drawing of
someone's grandfather. At least their library has some novels (tame ones), and Mrs. Axtell has Harper's magazine. Using daughter's room
while she is away; room has three Bibles and an E. P. Roe
novel.
Willa
[Stout
#25]

Letter ID: 0026

Addressee: Gere, Mariel Clapham

Date: 1896-07-13

Repository: Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation

To Mrs. Charles Gere,
July 13, [1896] from Pittsburgh
; WCPM

Why don't the girls write? Is lonely, not during work days but at night. Has her own stenographer
and entire responsibility for the first issue, even overseeing layout. Is arranging for
material for September issue [of Home Monthly]. Wants to do article on Mrs. William Jennings Bryan and Mrs. William McKinley. Please help get personal
details about Mrs. Bryan. Magazine not much as
literature, but hopes to make a success of it. Is behaving.
Willa
[Stout
#26]

Letter ID: 0027

Addressee: Gere, Ellen (Ned)

Date: 1896-07-27

Repository: Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation

To Ned [Ellen]
Gere,
Monday [c. July 27,
1896] from Pittsburgh
; WCPM

Presbyterian Axtells not so stern as first
thought, but not much fun. Their social life limited to fellow church members! Summoned the
Baptist minister from next door as soon as they learned the Cathers were Baptists. Has been to an organ recital at Carnegie
music hall, which shares a building with library and art museum; theater next door. Between
going to church and pretending to know Wild West stories, is losing all standards of truth.
Magazine is dull stuff, but is
practically the managing editor, with her own desk.
Willa
[Stout
#27]

Has received letter. How could she believe she [Cather] was
really a bohemian? Only visits in Bohemia, doesn't live there. Plans to abash her enemies by
showing she can succeed. Only wildness these days is racing streetcars on bicycle. Believes
more firmly than ever that the one God is Art. Likes her work, though hard. Editor of
Cosmopolitan admired "The Count of
Crow's Nest," but must use it in Home
Monthly. P.S.: Has her own stenographer.
Willa
[Stout
#28]

Sorry for previous letter. Ironic to be called bohemian, considering present hardworking
life. Has been on a picnic to Erie and an
excursion on the river; returning by moonlight, admired the glow of the steel furnaces and was
serenaded by a Princeton boy. Recited college composition on Carlyle at an afternoon tea and was at once welcomed into the social set. Axtells are kind but not warm; resemble the Pounds.
Willa
[Stout
#29]

Won't be able to send material for newspaper until next week. Has met C. L. Magee, managing editor of two Pittsburgh
newspapers and political boss of the city. Had a letter of introduction from an actress friend. Magee's office crowded with people, but he had a kind word for each, gave letters
to several to help them get jobs. It was hard to ask a stranger for a job, but he encouraged
her to come back. Asked her into his private office, said he would take some articles and there
might be a job coming open on the evening paper.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#34]